Caitlyn Jenner has told a court that some of the paparazzi, who were trailing her SUV the day she was involved in a fatal multi-car accident near Malibu, Calif., in February 2015, played a role in the tragedy.

At the time, tabloid interest in Jenner was especially high because speculation was rampant as to when Jenner would come out as transgender. She went public in April of that year.

Her lawyer, Philip Boesch, said he filed a cross-complaint in a lawsuit arising from the crash on July 29, identifying two paparazzi agencies and referring to the photographers as "the Stalker Defendants." Jenner's cross-complaint asserts that some of the photographers pursued her throughout the day of the crash to get pictures of her, often driving recklessly and too close to her vehicle.

"As a direct consequence and result of this stalking, harassing and distracting conduct, (Jenner) was visually distracted, and the negligence and reckless conduct of the Stalker Defendants did contribute to the cause of an accident where seconds and split seconds mattered," said the document, which was obtained by USA TODAY.

Therefore, Jenner and Boesch argue, they should be partially responsible for any monetary damages she may be forced to pay.

The Feb. 7 accident on the Pacific Coast Highway began when Jessica Steindorff stopped suddenly, according to the police investigation and Jenner's assertions. The driver behind her, 69-year-old Kim Howe, tried to brake in time and wound up being rear-ended by Jenner. Howe then veered into oncoming traffic, where she was struck by another vehicle and killed.

Investigators found that Jenner was traveling too fast given traffic conditions but the Los Angeles County district attorney declined to press charges.

Steindorff and Jenner reached their own settlement last year but Jenner's cross-complaint in the case says Steindorff was driving on a suspended license and was stopped on the road, apparently when she was distracted by her cellphone.